I went to Denali for First Grade in 1955

by Joe

The school in 1950

I went to Denali for first grade in 1955.

My teacher was Miss Rook in Room 47.

There must have been a lot of first-graders because we were on a double shift. I was on the morning shift.

My brother, who was in the third grade had a “normal” school day.

We lived in Rogers Park, so I rode the school bus. I had no understanding of time back then, but it was dark when we got on the bus to go to school and still dark somewhere around or after noon when we came home.

I don't remember an ice rink, but I do remember a large snow pile that appeared when the playground was cleared of snow. We played king of the mountain on it.

After the snow was gone there was the slide, swings, and monkey bars.

Yup I remember Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot and puff: “Run Spot run! Run, run, run!” Reading opened a whole world for me. I have fond memories of the Loussac Library on F St.

In 1956 Lake Otis School opened so we walked to school; crossing Northern Lights Boulevard and Lake Otis Road (NOT Parkway). No traffic signals, crossing guards, or patrols.

It's amazing how the memories surface after 70 (!) years. Oh, and Lake Otis was the Huskies too! The student body chose Huskies over several other Alaska wildlife that first year Lake Otis was open.

Yours Free

These aren't just stories about Anchorage--they're the kind of memories worth keeping close.

Wonderful memories of the Anchorage you love

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“Always a great read” Tony